Volume One, Chapter 15: A One-Character Poem—"Swift"

After Yin Lingxiao left, the students of the Ren Class exchanged glances, all shocked to their cores.

“What’s going on? The Young Master Yin actually chased after that girl?”

“Who is she? Did they know each other before?”

“Seems like she’s the eldest daughter of Minister Fu’s family, the one just brought back from the countryside.”

Overhearing the whispers, Fu Xiaolian’s expression darkened. She had no idea what means her sister had used to catch Yin Lingxiao’s attention.

Soon, the entire academy was abuzz with news that a female student from the Ren Class had come to the Tian Class with questions, and that Yin Lingxiao had followed her out afterward. When Jiang Rongrong heard this, she was so furious she nearly overturned her desk.

Jiang Rongrong found it hard to believe. She knew Yin Lingxiao had never paid her any mind before; the only time he had spoken much to anyone was when she mistakenly sent gunpowder as a gift. Yet according to the young ladies in the Tian Class, Yin Lingxiao had been out for the length of a whole tea session! That meant they had talked for a full tea session!

During class, students kept sneaking glances at Fu Chun’er, their expressions filled with curiosity and hostility.

Unable to resist, Fang Juexia whispered, “Xiao Chun’er, do you know Brother Yin?”

Fu Chun’er was busily working on her exercises and replied coldly, “No.”

Fang Juexia figured she likely didn’t know him; after all, when he had invited her and Brother Yin to hang out before, Fu Chun’er hadn’t even reacted.

“Then why did you seek him out to talk?” Fang Juexia glanced at the tutor and covered her mouth to whisper, “Girls who like him would do anything for his attention. You’re putting yourself in danger.”

Fu Chun’er clenched her brush tightly. “He was the one who spoke to me.”

Fang Juexia looked unconvinced, as if to say, “Don’t joke.”

Since memory served, she had never seen Brother Yin initiate conversation with any girl.

No sooner had the tutor left than Jiang Rongrong and her girlfriends surrounded Fu Chun’er. Because Fu Chun’er had been quietly studying every day, everyone assumed she was meek and easy to manipulate. Jiang Rongrong bluntly demanded, “Fu Chun’er, what exactly did you say to Brother Lingxiao?”

Fu Chun’er was unafraid of trouble, but the thought that this issue stemmed from Yin Lingxiao stirred memories from a past life like a rising tide, filling her with restless agitation.

She lifted her eyes and glanced coldly at Jiang Rongrong. “None of your business.”

Jiang Rongrong was stunned by her audacity and immediately flared up. “Fu Chun’er, you shameless woman! What vile tricks did you use to ensnare Brother Lingxiao? If you don’t explain yourself today, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Even Fang Juexia couldn’t stand it any longer. He stepped in front of Fu Chun’er, saying, “Don’t—”

Fu Chun’er tossed her brush aside and lounged back in her chair with an air of nonchalance, a faintly mocking smile on her lips as she looked at Jiang Rongrong. “Tricks? You mean like swapping out the gift for gunpowder just to grab attention? Don’t worry, I’m not that shameless.”

She slowly clapped her hands, the mockery dripping from the gesture.

Anger clouded Jiang Rongrong’s mind, her blood boiling. Her trembling finger jabbed at Fu Chun’er. “How dare you insult me like this? Just you wait—I won’t let you off easy!”

Fu Chun’er’s face remained cold, her clear gaze cutting like frost, causing Jiang Rongrong to freeze momentarily and instinctively take a half step back.

“I’ve been through worse, but let me remind you…”

Fu Chun’er stood slowly, gripping Jiang Rongrong’s chin firmly as she smiled lightly. “Don’t drag my name into matters that don’t concern me. Whatever you like means nothing in my eyes.”

The entire Ren Class fell silent in an instant. Jiang Rongrong’s face was a mix of shock and disbelief, while Fang Juexia’s heart pounded wildly. Covering his face, he silently exclaimed, “Ah! No wonder she’s his fairy classmate—so fierce!”

...

The events in the Ren Class did nothing to quell the others’ excitement. Students gathered in lively discussions, and some busybodies even drew a portrait of Fu Chun’er in a masked, plain robe, posting it in a frequently traveled part of the academy.

“Is this the woman who ran over to the Tian Class with questions and caught Yin Lingxiao’s attention?”

“Who is she? Why is she covering her face?”

“I heard she hides her face because she’s ugly—the skin under the veil is nearly ruined!”

News about Yin Lingxiao always spread rapidly throughout the academy. By mid-morning, a crowd had gathered before the portrait.

“Listen, I know her. Her name is Fu Chun’er. The Fu family just brought her back from the countryside. She’s Fu Xiaolian’s legitimate elder sister from the Tian Class, and her brother is Fu Heng at the Imperial Academy!”

“Her brother is as handsome as Pan An, and her younger sister is also quite pretty. How did she end up looking so ugly?”

“Look at the clothes she’s wearing—so rustic!”

“Then where does she get the confidence to flirt with Yin Lingxiao?”

“Because she’s shameless, that’s why she went after the Young Master Yin.”

...

The matter continued to ferment, spreading like wildfire throughout the academy.

To the students of Bailu Academy, Yin Lingxiao was a uniquely special figure. He had the opportunity to enter the Imperial Academy as a privileged student and easily begin an official career, yet he had surrendered that spot to his overlooked eldest brother. Most of these students were children of fourth- or fifth-rank officials or wealthy families, unqualified to enter the Imperial Academy, let alone compare with the prestigious and sought-after Marquis Yongyi’s household.

If their family backgrounds were daunting enough, Yin Lingxiao’s extraordinary appearance drove the noble daughters of the academy and even the entire capital city mad with admiration. Only the young master Shangguan at the Imperial Academy could rival him in looks, but unlike Shangguan Hao’s gentleness, Yin Lingxiao’s cold and sharp temperament bore the distinct aura of a battlefield warrior, causing everyone to keep a wary distance. Oddly, they maintained a delicate balance—Yin Lingxiao neither liked them nor favored others.

If anyone disrupted this balance, the entire group would go into a frenzy.

Eventually, to ease everyone’s minds, someone came up with a seemingly reasonable explanation. Fu Chun’er had indeed gone to ask questions, but she was cunning—she deliberately posed a difficult problem to the tutor, hoping to attract Yin Lingxiao’s attention with the challenge.

To prove this theory, someone even posted the original question next to the portrait. Upon seeing it, everyone agreed it was far beyond the Ren Class’s level, further affirming the truth of the story.

Then someone asked, “Is this country girl really that talented to solve such a hard problem?”

“There are academies in the countryside too. She must have studied for a few years. After all, she was the one who solved the arithmetic problem the tutor previously posed.”

“But I heard she hadn’t even started learning when she first came to the academy?”

Fu Xiaolian had been closely monitoring the rumors. Hearing how far they had spread, a smile appeared on her lips—her opportunity had arrived!

Before the afternoon recess ended, after dining in the kitchen, Jiang Rongrong returned to the Ren Class and found two envelopes on her desk.

Curious, she opened them. Moments later, her eyes sparkled with excitement.